Source: Canada Post
CANADA POST RELEASES TWO PEONY STAMPS
Cytherea and Marie-Victorin
The two elegant peony hybrids featured in Canada Post's latest Floral Series stamp issue, 'Cytherea' and 'Marie-Victorin', were both developed by Canadian-born horticulturists.
Named after the Greek goddess of love, 'Cytherea' is a cherry rose semi-double. 'Marie-Victorin' is a symmetrical, globe-shaped flower composed of a single row of rounded, pale pink petals with purple-pink flares. It was named after the founder of the Montréal Botanical Garden.
'Cytherea' (Saunders, 1953), herbaceous hybrid.
'Marie Victorin' (Ménard / D’Aoust, 2009), herbaceous hybrid.
Photo by Kate-Lynn Clark
Peony of the Year 2025
Soft Salmon Saucer
Soft Salmon Saucer, voted by the membership as the 2025 Peony of the Year, is a beloved variety celebrated for its delicate, single, saucer-shaped blooms. Its soft salmon-pink petals, accented with a golden center that deepens toward the base and vibrant yellow stamens, create a striking and elegant display. Blooming early and abundantly, the flowers feature a subtle fragrance making them as delightful to the senses as they are to the eyes.
Annual Awards Nominations
Now Open!
The Canadian Peony Society Lifetime Achievement Award
This prestigious award recognizes members who have contributed to the Canadian Peony Society and peony world in a variety of ways. Read more.
The John Simkins Memorial Hybridizer Award
This award has been established to encourage and draw attention to hybridizing activity in Canada. Read more.
Nominate Today!
Do you have the perfect candidate in mind for one or both of these annual awards?
Send nominations to Darlene Kalawsky, Awards Chair, by March 31, 12am PT.
2024 CPS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Tom Harris
(l to r) Dennis Gebhardt, Tom Harris & Judy Denny
Tom Harris has been an outstanding Peony ambassador for many years. He has devoted countless hours to staffing CPS tables and speaking to the public about CPS and the intricacies of growing peonies. He served on the CPS board of directors as Vice President, then President during a challenging time for the society.
He has supported many Peony events across Canada, bringing blooms in his “famous suitcase”, helping wherever needed, judging, clerking or speaking on behalf of the Canadian Peony Society.
He has been actively involved with the Oshawa Peony Festival as a committee member for nearly 20 years, and is highly respected for his support, and involvement in this long-established event.
He is an award-winning Peony grower, having won all CPS awards at various National shows across Canada.
Tom, with his partner Dennis, have created the Schoolhouse Gardens, (aptly named after the historic school house on the property) where they conduct tours showcasing the hundreds of peonies grown there. All donations from these tours go to the Bridge Hospice Society, in Warkworth, Ontario, which they helped to found and have passionately supported for many years.
The Canadian Peony Society proudly recognizes Tom Harris for his contributions, to the promotion and enjoyment of peony growing in Canada.
The John Simkins Memorial Hybridizer Award for 2024
Bill Wegman
Bill Wegman
Congratulations to Bill Wegman, as the first recipient of the John Simkins Memorial Hybridizer Award.
As you may know, Bill was the former seed sale lead for the Canadian Peony Society, collecting and recording thousands of peony seeds for dispersal to peony enthusiasts globally. He held this position for many years, with a dedicated passion to ensuring the society was true to its mission of establishing distinctively Canadian Hybrids.
His work as a hybridizer is legendary. His work ethic has continued to strengthen the livelihood of Canadian bred peonies. His seeds offer purchasers the opportunity to grow unique seedlings that have the potential to be very interesting plants. Bill uses excellent parents, and seeds from hand pollinated crosses that are not usually available anywhere else.
His generosity of donating his offsprings to local gardens, in plants, seeds or root forms is incredibly humbling to witness. His unassuming manner of accomplishing so much, and willingness to share information with those interested, is truly stellar. His work will not go unnoticed for future generations, a tribute to his research, and keen interest in producing Canadian peonies for us to enjoy.
This recognition is well deserved, and proudly presented by the Board of Directors of the Canadian Peony Society.
Who We Are
We are a Society dedicated to the growth and development of Peonies. We are always looking for new members and enthusiasts to join the Society, so join us and come and share your passion!
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Contact Info
Canadian Peony Society
4338 Line 26
St. Pauls, ON N0K 1V0
info@peony.ca